The reader was engaging. The story told different view points. It as has a good ending. The story is told by various by female and male charatcters.

First, a big thank you to NetGalley and Harper for the ARC of Cristina Henríquez’s "The Great Divide" – “An epic novel of the construction of the Panama Canal, casting light on the unsung people who lived, loved, and labored there, by Cristina Henríquez, acclaimed author of The Book of Unknown Americans.”

One of the reasons I wanted to read this book was because I loved The Book of Unknown Americans. I was so excited to get approved for the audio ARC of “The Great Divide.”

The descriptive writing in this book is something that I love about Cristina’s work. I was immediately transported to Panama in 1907: sweltering heat and pouring rain, endless mud sucking at boots, humid air thick as soup, stinging mosquitos, crowded streets and vendors singing their wares, exotic fruits dripping with sweetness, the vibrant green jungle; men and machines shoveling and digging and hauling away dirt, clay, and rocks in such varied colors. This is what it really means when writers say show me, don’t tell me.

True to Cristina’s previous work the Great Divide is set during the Panama Canal construction, but it really takes a look at the people who traveled from all around the world to see this engineering feat being built while simultaneously ignoring how construction disrupted the lives of Panamanians. I love the vignettes of the characters who are given rich backstories. These stories intersect, bypass, and are interconnected by the canal. Some of these characters quietly fade while most of them have a robust conclusion.

Throughout this story division remains a central theme, but not just in terms of the earth being formed into something new. But “The Great Divide” explores class and racial division, but division among family, neighbors, lovers, and more. Throughout there are threads of loss and grief, a constant longing for connection.

Cristina Henríquez’s "The Great Divide” is a strong testament to the resilience and determination of human spirit, and that divided we fall, together we stand. Stories like Cristina Henríquez’s "The Great Divide,” will leave a lasting impression on the reader. I know I felt a little haunted as I left the pages of this story. The Great Divide and A Book of Unknown Americans will forever hold a place on my bookshelf. Forever weaving their stories and pulling at the threads on my being.

Thank you, NG and Harper Audio, for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

The narrator is Robin Miles who is probably my favorite audiobook narrator. She used at least 5 distinct accents for all of the diverse characters in this book. The backdrop is the construction of the Panama Canal. Through multiple POV’s, we get to view this historical moment through the lens of Panamanian workers, Panama neighborhoods that were displaced, immigrants from Barbados and other neighboring countries that came to find work, and Americans who came to Panama - foremen and scientists alike.

I really enjoyed how each POV presented an entirely different reaction to the construction project. Although the Panama Canal was a huge architectural feat and an important naval transit route, it also reeked of colonialism. Panama suddenly became an important part on the global map - for better and for worse. I loved how this book made me think. I was emotionally connected to every character and could really feel what they felt, especially with Robin’s excellent narrating skills.

I am confident all historical fiction lovers will enjoy this (especially the audiobook). I feel like I learned a lot about the Panama Canal and the ways it impacted so many diverse communities.

🌎“To be independent and to be sovereign were too separate things. Panama detaching itself from Colombia had merely done an about-face and attached itself to the United States instead.”

The Great Divide is the story of several local people from South America who, at desperate times, jumped at the opportunity of the building of the Panama canal to better their lives. The isthmus only made them realize who they really were, home was where the heart was, family comes first, and money doesn't bring happiness.

It was a good story, I particularly enjoyed the historical facts I learned around the building of the canal and what things led to the desire to build one. It was also quite interesting to read how, as usual, it's the government that screws their own, empires do whatever they want, no matter how many people not-their-own suffer the consequences of their decisions, and how history keeps repeating itself.

It was so heartbreaking to follow those characters who trying to better their lives, to support their family, to no avail. It was a sad book, but it ended with a lot of hope. The ending was a big sight of relief.

I am giving it 4 stars because I did not feel invested at any moment, the characters were well written but I did not get attached to any of them (my favorite onr was Marianne Oswald though, and I was disappointed by the turn of events). BUT the narrator brought the story to life, her voice was exceptional: expressive, each characters had their own accent, it was a joy to listen. As a result, I connected more with the characters.

There were also too many storylines. If only we would have focused on 2 storylines and dig deeper (no pun.intended lol), I might have enjoyed it more.

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange of my honest opinion.

I was and am super interested in reading more historical fiction set outside of WWII so when I read this book’s description, I was excited to learn more about an event and place I didn’t know much about. When I first started this book, I assumed it would follow the POVs of the initial few characters we were intro’d to and they’d eventually converge. The book though had other ideas… and introduced what felt like a dozen other POVs into the mix, with varying degrees of integration and converging that take place. Overall, I loved the narrator and how vivid the storytelling was — the descriptions were immersive and very well done. But the pacing was too slow for me and in the end, the story didn’t have a payoff that was worth the ~14 hours spent listening to it. I wish this would have been a collection of short stories perhaps instead?

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperAudio for advanced access to this title in exchange for an honest review.

I really just don't think I am a historical fiction girly, especially not when it is split into so many different perspectives/narrators like this. I was unable to form a connection/investment/interest with any of the characters because we were constantly jumping around. Also, as an audiobook I was often confused as to whose perspective we were following. It would sometimes take me a few sentences or paragraphs to catch on to where we were. The language is very descriptive and beautiful but there wasn't enough plot behind it to keep me interested. Ultimately, very well written and deeply descriptive I just think it was perhaps not the genre for me.

I always love when a historical fiction books teaches me something new about a time, people, place, or event. This hook checks all those boxes in a beautifully written way. Loved each of the character and following their stories. Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC of this book.

Interesting book about the people living by the Panama Canal when it was being constructed. If you like historical fiction, you’ll like this book. My only minor quibble with the book was that I did not feel the different story lines were connected in a significant way. Great narrator.

I LOVED The Book of Unknown Americans when I read it several years ago and so, when I was offered the opportunity to listen to the audiobook version of Cristina Henriquez’s new novel, The Great Divide, I jumped at the chance. I basically started it the second I got it.

Henriquez is an absolutely beautiful writer. This historical fiction story is nuanced, detailed, grand, and enlightening. Learning tidbits about the building of the Panama Canal and its impact on the people that lived in the area pre-other countries’ pressure and involvement can only help most of us grow as citizens of the World. She has provided variety in the stories woven together to create this epic, each is generally very interesting and often emotional.

My one critique is sizable, but also not (I know, that’s confusing): I wish that I hadn’t listened to this and had read it with my eyes instead. There are a number of stories that are interwoven together within The Great Divide, and I found it supremely difficult to keep track of who was whom, how they were related to others, where they had been and where they seemed to be going, etc. I think if I had read this visually, giving it my full attention, I would have had an easier time keeping track of the comings and goings of these characters. I know that the multiple lenses and tales weaving together is very en vogue in literature these days, but I do find this writing style challenging when enjoying books via audio. Perhaps I’m the only one, but I suspect not.

All in all, this story is beautiful and interesting. I would recommend it, particularly to historical fiction fans, with the asterisk advising to enjoy it in hard copy form versus audiobook (if that option is available to the reader).

With a diverse cast of characters from all walks of life, this historical novel does a great job of telling the story of the construction of the Panama Canal. I listened to this via audiobook, and I truly enjoyed listening to a story of one or more of the characters each evening. An unhappily married woman from East Tennessee, a runaway from Barbados, former slaves, itinerate workers from the states - they all make up Empire City, as the construction site is called. The book details the everyday lives and struggles of each of these characters, as they fight tropical diseases, learn about the struggles of each other, and work out deep seated racial and ethnic prejudices.

This was a long book, and great value if you enjoy several different storylines within one book. Highly recommended.

The Great Divide by Cristina Henriquez is an historical fiction about the construction of the Panama Canal, but it is also a story about the people involved with the canal project who live in the area and other countries who came in to oversee the project. Cristina created an array of characters in this novel that readers will feel like they know them and see the harsh labor conditions of the workers, as well as the isolation of those who came to the country to realize a dream of creating the canal, ending malaria, finding wealth, or working however they can to support families. Book Clubs will have much to discuss after reading this book. The narrator was amazing.

I love fictional sagas that have a gigantic cast of characters. As the story unwinds you can't quite see how some of the stories could possibly relate. Then with a deft twist of talent, the author ties the strands together and weaves a tale that you could not forsee. Such is the case with Cristina Henriquez's The Great Divide. It is a story full of life, passion, sadness, humor ("Why is she not married? Stop, don't answer that. If you saw her you would know."), drive and ambition. Some of the strands end in ways you do not expect, while others flow in a way you would expect. It is an unforgettable book, in this case, made far greater by choosing the audio edition. I cannot imagine a better narrator for this story than Robin Miles. She is phenomenal and her accents and voices elevate an already outstanding experience. This book is one of the year's best!

The work is a refreshing and original contribution to the genre of historical fiction. This story is not cover the engineering and construction accomplishments of building the Panama Canal. Instead, it focuses on the people and communities surrounding the canal site. Unlike narratives that emphasize the engineering feats of constructing the Panama Canal, this story directs its attention to the individuals and communities in proximity to the canal. Immersing myself in the book prompted contemplation about the everyday people, both locals and immigrants, whose lives underwent lasting transformations due to this monumental construction endeavor.
It just lacks a plot for my taste and at times following many perspectives was taking a mental toll on my tired brain.

Buckle up, folks—no, I mean that quite literally. Henríquez's "The Great Divide" is so transportative that attempting to drive and listen became a feat more precarious than I could handle. After the sixth near-miss on the road, I realized this audiobook demanded my undivided attention.

Now, picture this: a fisherman's disgruntlement, a teenager from Barbados on a mission, and a scientist on a quest to eradicate malaria, all converging in the tumultuous tale of the Panama Canal.

I have a confession to make. Initially, it felt like stumbling into a maze. Characters popped up left and right, and I was more disoriented than a cat chasing a laser pointer. But lo and behold, just when I contemplated sketching family trees, Henríquez executed a narrative miracle, seamlessly bringing all threads together by the grand finale.

This audiobook is like a history class that spiked its coffee with adrenaline, delivering colonialist insights with a high literary style. Henríquez's storytelling transforms history into a night at the theater, where the unsung heroes and diverse cast of the Panama Canal take the stage.

So, dear listeners, get ready for the show. The Great Divide has not only unveiled the construction saga but has also gifted us a backstage pass to the lives that shaped history. Highly recommended for those who want history served with a side of literary brilliance and the kind of storytelling that makes you forget you're not at the theater.

Have you ever opened a wikipedia page about a celebrity - let's say Justin Bieber - then you realize he is married to Hailey Bieber and you open that page too, then you read about her whole family, somehow ends up on a page about Brazilian musician Eumir Deodato (her grandfather) and you don't even know how you made ended up there? This is how this book works! You start reading about Ada who goes to Panama to work and send money to her sister and then somehow you are reading about Marian from Kentucky who studied Botany and married a scientist. For the longest time you won't know how the different threads are connected, but at some point all characters in the novel will cross paths.

I enjoyed reading about the construction of the Panama Canal. The author presented multiple perspectives on how the Panama canal affected the lives of so many people. HOWEVER, I didn't like the multiple loose threads that, to be honest, never really connected to each other.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy is exchange for my honest review.

Add to your TBR! This one comes out March 5.
Am I the only one that didn’t know the full history of the Panama Canal or that malaria along with construction caused the death of over 20k people?
The last few years I have started to gravitate towards historical fiction books. I learn new to me details about history while diving into the author’s imagination of the setting and lives of those living out historical moments.
First off - so many characters!
I promise it’s not a bad thing at all. The characters are necessary to the story- seems hard to keep track for the first few chapters of the book then willcome together beautifully. The writing is incredible and so easy to get wrapped up in.
I received the audiobook version, narrated by Robin Miles. She has a perfect voice, and her narration of male voices blended perfectly into the story. If you’re drawing a blank she has narrated some other popular audiobooks such as, Caste, Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo, Hidden Figures, and so many more.
This was a 4.6 read for me. I would love to hear your thoughts- I’m pretty sure I’m going to be thinking of these characters for awhile.

Thank you to Christina Henríquez, ECCO, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was excited to see this book was about to be published and glad to get a chance to listen to the advance audiobook. I have not read anything else by the author, but I will be exploring her other works after this.

Set during the construction of the Panama Canal, the book follows several characters who's lives loosely or closely intersect. I feel like the author was very successful at setting the background for the book and I enjoyed learning more about the construction of the canal. I actually went and looked up more information about some of the historical facts in the book.

I enjoyed the characters in the book, but because there were so many of them, I didn't feel like there was a great depth to some of them. I think this is common in novels that jump between protagonists. I might have enjoyed a deeper dive with fewer people. She did a good job of connecting everyone and the culmination of the story wraps things up well. There is a touch of magical reality, but it wasn't the driver of the novel. While darker topics such as slavery, racism, and death all appear, overall the book is more hopeful and optimistic and it isn't a heavy read.

I'm glad I read it and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in Panama or the early 1900s.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for an advanced audio book in exchange for an honest review.

Love, loss, found family, poverty, discrimination, immigration, colonialism…this fresh historical fiction set during the creation of the Panama Canal has it all. And at its heart, the interconnected plot lines highlight the interconnectedness of the human experience in a relatable, accessible way.

Great pacing, descriptive setting that doesnt distract from the plot, and excellent audio narration make this a 5⭐️ read, as easy to discuss as it is to recommend.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Great Divide by Cristina Henriquez explores life before, during, and after the construction of the Panama Canal while describing how the people were deeply impacted. It forces the reader to consider how connected to a place and location they are and what they will do to travel to a new land or remain where they were established. The writing is immersive and lyrical, and I enjoyed the character-driven exploration of daily life through multiple character perspectives. It is very detailed and by the end, you'll find yourself sympathizing with most, if not all, of the characters are their lives are inexplicably changed.

The narrator was phenomenal, and I found myself being drawn back to the story time and again, even though character-driven books are not usually at the top of my list. This is a must check out for lovers of historical fiction, own voices books, and books reflecting a multiracial society and community.

I enjoyed this book but it was a little too long. The narration was great. She made me feel comfortable and you could tell that she cared about the story.